An "Artists Creating a Better World -- Christmas
Holiday Show" is set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 at the Lakewood Center for the Arts, located at 368
South State Street in Lake Oswego.

Featuring over 25 vendors, the
Christmas bazaar is a benefit for the Happy Trails Riding Center, HAPPY TRAILS RIDING CENTER a therapeutic
riding program that serves children

Cornelia Becker Seigneur

and adults with special needs. There will also
be a silent auction featuring items from vendors, which will also help the
riding center.

"I and a lot of people are not in a position to get out the checkbook and write
a check to charity, so I thought, let's put our skills to work and sell our
items and donate that way," said West Linn's Michaela Houston,

Photo: Michael Houston

the event's
organizer, who explained that each vendor decides how much to donate. "Nicole Budden, the visionary behind the Happy Trails Riding Center, is my
neighbor and friend, who does a
lot of good work for autistic and Down syndrome kids, and they are basically
operating at cost. She sacrifices her entire family life for this."

Items being sold by the local
vendors for the day long Christmas bazaar include jewelry,
vases, artwork, dolls, homemade German Christmas cookies, and Christmas
ornaments, noted Houston, a photographer who also teaches German immersion preschool.

Cookies and milk will be
available to purchase to enjoy at the event -- not for Santa but for customers.
The event is free, and additional information can be found at michahouston@comcast.net.